Archaeologists unearth 'vampire' graves in Poland

Builders working on a site in Poland got more than they bargained for when they uncovered what is believed to be a vampire burial ground.

When archaeologists were brought in they found graves containing seven skeletons with their heads removed and placed between their legs near the town of Gliwice.

Beheading a suspected vampire was common in medieval times to make sure bodies did not rise from the dead.

The team of historians has yet to determine the exact fate of the headless skeletons and the remains have been sent for further testing. The absence of personal effects such as jewellery in the graves makes it more difficult to pinpoint the year of death but initial estimates suggest the bones date back to the 16th century.

"We found absolutely nothing on the skeletons, so it is difficult to say what period the skeletons are from. This is a special case, " archaeologist Dr Jacek Pierzak told the Dziennik Zachodni newspaper.